>> Wednesday, April 29, 2009

I came across this letter while searching for the meaning of the word "booshoo" (interestingly enough, it seems to mean something in both Ojibway and Farsi).

Looking into Grassy Narrows, I see that this particular project is a campaign by the Rainforest Action Network, one of the groups I did some work with in my freewheelin' (by which I mean my services were free) consulting days. All these things come back together...

There was something on the radio this morning about development somewhere in Ontario and a conflict with a First Nations community (I was half asleep so I don't remember where or with whom). I do remember a woman explaining what it was like to have bulldozers come in and tear up trees that had been growing for decades, scarring the land, just for the purpose of prospecting, and what it felt like to see your homeland torn up that way. So, besides the issues of resource benefits sharing and land claims issues, I think I am starting to understand how these things affect people on a more personal level.

>> Monday, April 27, 2009

>> Thursday, April 23, 2009

I'd like to go ahead and declare myself over doing certain things on the internet because it's a certain day. I think you know what I'm talking about. I blame excessive enthusiasm over Twitter and Tumblr.

>> Tuesday, April 7, 2009

In view of a recent trip down memory lane (I know, nostalgia is no good, Diana Vreeland does not approve) and the result that I am so excited for the new Wilco album that will drop in June (?), I have been revisiting some classics. Some favourites of mine aren't quite Wilco songs at all but remind me of a time when I was the only person I knew who even listened to this band - which was not a good thing at the time, but served instead to soundtrack some of the quieter moments of my angsty teenage years.

First, Remember the Mountain Bed. Absolutely beautiful lyrics, and lovely, simple chord progression. One of the best from the Mermaid Avenue sessions.

Second, the first song of theirs I ever heard, a cover that introduced me to two great bands at once - one of the many reasons Gilmore Girls has had such a profound influence on my life (let's not get into that here). Thirteen.

Lastly, if you really would like to impress me...tell me something Diana Vreeland said that I don't know about. It's a good thing she is no longer with us (after having lived a long, full life, of course) because I simply cannot fit any more of one person's advice into my life.

>> Thursday, April 2, 2009

Everyone keeps asking me if I'm excited to start work. You know what I'm excited for? Dressing up every day!!! Yes it's true. Even though it's the public service (notoriously dowdy, I have some good horror stories) I think that my office will be quite smart. The reason might have something to do with being located on the same floor as the Minister's office, but I also think it has something to do with being in a building full of corporate-types (a bank and Unilever).

My morning laugh came from this news piece. Honestly, who does that? The resulting reaction by the Toronto Airport Authority is totally predictable. And hilarious. OK, maybe it's only hilarious if you're the kind of person who regularly makes jokes about bureaucracy based in personal experience and a little self-deprecation.

I made cut-off shorts. They're really awesome. I can't wait for summer.